Nestled amongst the palms, just west of Byron Bay, sits a personal oasis. What was once an under-utilised family home in need of some serious TLC is now a welcome refuge from the stresses of everyday life. With a sprawling ground floor design that lends an air of day-spa-meets-private-villa, paired with the simple luxury of a modern kitchen and tranquil, renovated bathrooms, it’s a home you don’t need to take a holiday from. The aim with this project was to create a sense of privacy and tranquility, and the seamless blend of indoor and outdoor spaces takes that brief to the next level. One particularly inviting addition adjoining this outdoor space is the parents’ retreat - a garden shed given new life as a yoga studio and meditation space, complete with outdoor shower.

The open plan nature of the main living area makes it perfect for larger groups, families or entertaining, and plays perfectly into the overall ease of the property. The exterior features and garden were designed to add character over time, and enhance the identity of the property without requiring a great deal of effort from those enjoying the space. Nowadays the vines and shrubbery weave up the wooden walls, bringing the tropical jungle fantasy to life.

The real genius of this space, however, is the ‘borrowed view’ - the product of creative landscaping and an eye for opportunity.

After realising that the closest neighbouring property was built at the very back of an acre of otherwise uninterrupted land, Francesca and the team had the idea to strategically ‘plant out’ the neighbouring house itself - hiding it from sight - and remove all visual obstacles between their own property and the view. By doing this they secured an extra acre of landscape to enjoy, and created the sense of being on secluded rural acreage, despite being on a suburban lot. Space is truly a luxury in and of itself.